A KOROIT retailer is proving size doesn’t matter when it comes to shopping. The gift store stocked with products made, grown or produced in the south-west has committed to remaining within its Commercial Road site for its Wednesday to Saturday browsers. The Local Place owner Renee Lane said she has no plans to branch out into web sales. “Sometimes bigger is not better,” she said. “We’re a perfect fit for a small town like this.” Mrs Lane’s comments come as the store plans to celebrate its first birthday. On December 1 the popular retail space will mark the occasion with some of its 50 suppliers, its customers and public supporters at an in-store event. “People will be welcome to come and have a look, ask questions, join a workshop and order Christmas gifts,” she said. Mrs Lane said she had been overwhelmed by community support in the past year. “Twelve months ago I had 12 suppliers,” Mrs Lane said. “There’s now fifty from Portland to Timboon. “I never went out looking for them they came to me.” After a health scare two years ago the mother-of-three decided to take on a new challenge. “I said to my husband ‘I’d like to open just a little shop, if it doesn’t work I’ll give everyone their stuff back and it doesn’t matter.” The Local Place grew in popularity. It now stocks paintings, photographs, terrariums, hand-made jewellry, edible treats, home-made clothing, garden art and toys from an array of suppliers. “You hear people say they want to support local and this is a testament that it does work.”